Children eligible for free school meals in Cornwall to get food vouchers this summer
The council is reminding parents who have not received them yet to contact their schools
Last updated 21st Jul 2021
A reminder is going out to parents across Cornwall about free school meals for the summer.
Mums and dads whose children are eligible are being asked to contact schools if they have not received food vouchers yet.
Cornwall Council is funding the programme over the holidays through the Covid local support grant.
Schools have been privided with up to £15 a week per child to support families.
Currently, more than 15,000 youngsters across the Duchy are accessing free school meals.
Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Barbara Ellenbrook, said: "As schools break up next week, we want to remind families that support with food is available over the summer holidays through their schools via a voucher scheme which you can use in your local supermarket.
"It is vital to children's wellbeing that they can continue having access to healthy and nutritious meals over the summer".
Barbara Ellenbrook, Cornwall Council
The COVID Local Support Grant, which is worth £1.7 million, has been given to the Council from the Department for Work and Pensions to support households across Cornwall.
You can find more information on the scheme and find out how to register for free school meals here.
Since 2018, Cornwall Council has run a programme called filling the holiday gap, which provided small grants to community groups and volunteer organisations to provide activities and food for vulnerable young people.
During the pandemic, the scheme was used to provide vouchers to those that missed the deadline for the government vouchers.
This summer Cornwall Council and Active Cornwall have joined forces to deliver nutritious food alongside sport and physical activity, as part of the Time2Move Holiday Programme.
The Department for Education-funded programme is open to all children and young people aged five to 16 and aims to tackle the triple inequality of poor diet, physical inactivity and social isolation.